Ricardo dos Santos
(Picture: PA)The police watchdog will not investigate a stop by armed Met officers of sprinter Ricardo Dos Santos in Bayswater.
The Portuguese sprinter was stopped by armed police earlier this month only two years after being stopped by police with his girlfriend, British athlete Bianca Williams, and their three-month-old son.
The force later apologised for its handling of that incident, with the couple accusing it of racial profiling. Five officers are set to face gross misconduct hearings.
A clip showing a part of the latest stop was recorded by Mr dos Santos and posted on social media.
The footage shows a police car stopping in front of the sprinter’s car and also captures the moment officers approached the car, with one officer holding a baton.
He said: “Not surprised I had to go through this again … Annoyed that 2 years down nothing has changed but they still manage to over police.
“Why do 7 armed officers need to be present when I was alone. 2 or 3 max would of been enough”.
Not surprised I had to go through this again. Whilst driving home last night 7 armed @metpoliceuk officers stopped me because they thought I was on my phone whilst driving. At their request I pulled over when safe to do so. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/Px2KSJZQi8
— Ricardo Dos Santos (@RDSS400) August 14, 2022
In a statement on Thursday, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), said it would not be investigating the latest incident, and that it had referred it back to Scotland Yard to investigate.
However, it added: “We also advised that should its investigation identify any conduct matters, then the matter should be re-referred”.
The Met said armed police on routine patrol had stopped the 400m sprinter on the A40 Westway at 4am on Sunday, August 14, because they were concerned he was using his mobile at the wheel.
“The officers clearly indicated for the car to pull over but it failed to do so and they called for further assistance,” it said.
“The driver stopped about five minutes later in Orsett Terrace W2, and the officers spoke to him about why they wanted to stop the vehicle”.
Mr dos Santos has previously said that he did not fail to stop, but stopped when safe to do so.
The previous incident in July 2020 in Maida Vale saw the sprinter and Ms Williams handcuffed and their car searched for weapons and drugs, sparking an outcry.
